Political instability unnerves public servants

Chris Johnson Labor's leadership spill has done nothing to provide certainty to the public sector, which has been left in a state of flux over the government's inability to instil confidence in the people who work...

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Asian Century stillborn as activity stalls

Chris Johnson Rumblings within the public service suggest the much-publicised Asian Century white paper has stalled in its implementation stage, with the government taking too long to appoint an advisory board and...

PM silent on McKew's claims of disloyalty

Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard is refusing to buy into the debate about the removal of her predecessor but Kevin Rudd wants those involved in the 2010 coup against him to come clean about the roles...

Rudd tells world he's still here and he's backing Gillard as the leader

Chris Johnson Kevin Rudd has publicly declared his support for Prime Minister Julia Gillard and has vowed to do all he can to help return Labor to office in next year's election.

Rudd says Gillard crew needs to toughen up

Chris Johnson Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has delivered a clear message to government ministers who are angry that his time in office has been publicly defended, saying they should be tough enough to wear it.

Recent form a winner for PM

Chris Johnson Labor backbenchers are rallying behind Prime Minister Julia Gillard, after what some describe as outstanding examples of her leadership over the past weeks.

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Rudd returns, saying too much is at stake not to speak up

Chris Johnson Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has vowed not to be silenced in the lead-up to the next federal election, saying there is too much at stake for Australia.

MPs split on Rudd's motive for interview

Chris Johnson Labor MPs are expressing two views about former prime minister Kevin Rudd's vow to lift his profile in arguing the government's case in the lead-up to the next election.

Polls buoy Labor MPs as they fall in behind the Prime Minister

Chris Johnson Federal Labor MPs are falling in behind Prime Minister Julia Gillard, following two opinion polls showing the government in its best position since March last year.

Drift to Rudd, as MPs waver

Chris Johnson Labor backbenchers are again being sounded out about the possibility of a Kevin Rudd comeback, while their apparent drop in public appearances suggests a new level of government despondency.

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Besieged Gillard asserts her leadership

Chris Johnson Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has declared the government to be ''at war with itself'' amid talk of a renewed push to return Kevin Rudd to the Labor leadership.

PM faces hostile caucus over mining jobs

Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard will face a hostile Labor caucus today as leadership rumblings continue and as some MPs grow angrier over the government's deal to give away more than 1700 mining project...

Gillard takes on mining bosses

Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard has left Australia's mining bosses with no doubt her government will not be backing away from the controversial minerals resource rent tax, due to kick in from July.

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PM willing to give ground on refugee plan

Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard wants to end the political stalemate over asylum seekers, suggesting she is prepared to make further changes to her border protection policies to do so.

PM brushes aside fresh talk of leadership spill

By Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard is refusing to buy into a renewed surge in leadership speculation, sparked by chief government whip Joel Fitzgibbon, who suggested continued bad polling might see a...

Gillard safe in her job for now: backbenchers

Chris Johnson Labor MPs are feeling electorally vulnerable but there is no firm plan to topple Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Oakeshott gives Labor sharp reminder of focus

Chris Johnson Government MPs are today scurrying to convince the Australian electorate they are more focussed on policy than on the embattled Labor leadership after a wake-up call from key independent Rob...

Poor poll puts pressure on PM

Chris Johnson Senior Labor figures are discussing the possibility of a return to Kevin Rudd as prime minister in the wake of the government's latest disastrous polling results.

PM pressed over role of faceless men in Carr offer

Chris Johnson Prime Minister Julia Gillard has again been forced to defend accusations she is controlled by Labor's faceless men, following revelations a senior party official offered former NSW premier Bob Carr a...

Ministers defend PM as questions remain

Chris Johnson Government ministers have come to the defence of Prime Minister Julia Gillard, insisting there was nothing underhanded in the way she toppled Kevin Rudd for the Labor leadership in 2010.